This is quite a complex and layered beer. Bold and smooth chocolate malt flavors combine with a Belgian yeast lending tropical fruit/banana flavors and hints of spiciness, all complemented by citrus notes from an addition of tangerine peel. Rich vanilla beans add a nice counter to the chocolate malt - actually enhancing the chocolatiness. The finish is smooth, with additional traces of vanilla and toasted characters from French Oak. The goal for this edition of the Stone Vertical Epic Ale series is to be reminiscent of artisanal chocolates accentuated with orange.

Had this sometime at the end of 2012, as part of a 03.03.03 - 12.12.12 tasting. I had meant to enter these a while ago while they were fresh and add a few extra details, but that didn't happen. Review from notes. Anyway, here we go.

a - poured a one finger thick tan-colored head into a snifter that left good lacing throughout. the body was dark black.s - chocolate malt with some roast. vanilla and bananas with a hint of belgian sugar.t - chocolate, bananas, fruity yeast, finishes with a hint of oak.m - medium body with a dry finish.o - i had this at a VE tasting after the last release. this was one of my favorites and in the two years since the tasting nothing has changed about that.

This is the 2009 vintage of their special Vertical Epic series, and it's a really good Belgian dark ale. It sat cellared for a couple of years, but aged quite nicely. Happy to have shared part of a bottle.